Glass Hearts by Lisa de Jong Read Free Book Online Page B

to think of Dane as anything, but the man he is now, but I know he was once on the same path. It makes me want better things for Nolan. I want him to find what Dane and I found in each other. I want him to want more.
    “Do you want me to make you something to eat? I’m not a great cook, but I can make you some toast,” I say, pointing toward the kitchen.
    “I don’t want anything. Just please shut the fuck up!” he yells, fisting both hands in his hair. His tone startles me, causing me to take a step back. I’m used to being talked down to; you don’t live with Catherine Riley for eighteen years and not grow some type of immunity to cruelty, but I’m not used to being yelled at.
    I head to the kitchen to make myself some toast, saying a silent prayer that Dane gets home soon. I make a quick list of the stores in the area I found on the internet, hoping that one of them will be looking for help between stealing glances in Nolan’s direction. The more time I spend alone with him, watching him, the more uncomfortable I become.
    I’m just about ready to go take a walk around the neighborhood when Dane finally walks in, carrying two Starbucks cups. Starbucks is literally two blocks down the street, so I wonder what took him so long. He takes one look at me huddled over the counter and peeks around the corner at his brother before his smile wavers. He places the coffees on the table and wraps his arms around my waist. “Hey, are you okay?”
    I look toward Nolan who’s still sitting with his head resting on his hands. “He’s not in a very good mood this morning,” I say, managing a small smile.
    “Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I had a couple of errands to run and lost track of time,” he whispers, averting his eyes from mine. I’ve had this suspicion that there’s something Dane isn’t telling me since the day I moved in here, but I haven’t pushed it because when he’s with me, he’s all there. Maybe he’s just adjusting to having me live here and needs a break every once in a while.
    “Where did you go?” I ask, letting curiosity get the best of me.
    He lowers his eyes again. “I—”
    “Dane, I think I’m going to be sick,” Nolan interrupts from the other room. Dane quickly lets go of me and moves to sit next to his brother. The moment I hear Nolan get sick, I turn away and make myself busy in the small kitchen. My hand shakes as I open the refrigerator door to pull out the jelly. I suddenly feel out of place, and I have no idea what I should be doing. I want to help, but I don’t know where to start.
    I straighten my back, feeling bad for thinking I ever had problems. Dane and Nolan have real life problems and all of mine seem stupid and juvenile in comparison. If I’m going to be here for Dane, I really need to be here. I need to be the person who stays with him no matter how hard things get.
    I take a deep breath, close the fridge, and head toward the couch. Nolan seems to have emptied his stomach, but is still hunched over a bucket while Dane rubs his back. “Is there anything I can do?” I ask, directing my attention to Dane.
    Dane looks up, a dark expression plastered all over his perfect face. “Can you go start the shower? Don’t make it too hot. I need to get him cleaned up.”
    I nod and head toward the bathroom. Not long after I get the shower going, Dane comes in with Nolan’s arm wrapped around his neck. I step out to give them some privacy and sit on the edge of the bed, waiting for any direction on what to do next.
    It seems like hours pass before Dane steps out with a pale looking Nolan following behind. He looks better than he did earlier this morning, though. He’s walking on his own, and his eyes seem more alert.
    To my surprise, he stops right in front of me. “Alex, I’m sorry about earlier. I just wasn’t feeling that well,” he shrugs, placing his hands in his pockets.
    “It’s okay,” I say, trying my best to give him a friendly smile. I know he’s sick, so I’m